Josh Straughan passes Stillman to victory

Stillman quarterback Josh Straughan passed for 206 yards in the Tigers' win against Concordia on Saturday at Stillman College.

Erin Nelson

By Manal Yousif Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 12:38 a.m.

The Stillman Tigers shut out Concordia-Selma 52-0 at home Saturday night to open the 2013 football season. The Tigers were efficent on offense, using a balanced running and passing game.

Sophomore Josh Straughan was 20 of 30 passing for 206 yards.

“We basically just wanted to build off last year and keep it going,” Straughan said.

Straughan started last season as a freshman, due to Torrance Moise sitting out because of NCAA transfer rules. Straughan said he wants to see the combinations they did on offense in future games and keep building chemistry within the team. Freshmen seem to rise to the occasion for the Tigers every year, as Rovonta Johnson played his first collegiate game and dominated.

Johnson rushed for 85 yards and had a 20-yard touchdown run to recorded the first score of the Tigers’ season.

“At first I was nervous, but I knew what I was doing. Coach Teddy) Keaton really took me under and just put me where I fit in,” Johnson said.

Johnson said after he cleared the end zone, his teammates were shocked at what they witnessed.

“Everybody was asking how come I didn’t tell them I could play like that? I did not want to tell them, because I did not want to sound cocky, so I thought it would be better to just show them,” Johnson said.

Johnson said in fall training camp they worked on foot work a lot, so all he had to master was the vision to see the holes and cut to make plays.

Johnson said he learned from his mentor, junior Jovontae Thurman, who rushed for 54 yards.

Thurman scored in the second quarter on a 42-yard run to give the Tigers a 23-0 lead at halftime.

Moise found the end zone twice, on a 6-yard run and on a 67-yard run.

Also for Stillman, Dondre Purnell caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Straughn.

Jalen Hooks added a 1-yard scoring run and Charles Corbitt scored on a 9-yard run.

“It is amazing how things work when your team has that chemistry and trust within each other on the offensive line,” Thurman said.

The Tigers overcame several penalties that could have been costly. They had 19 total.

“It was a good win, but it was sloppy,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said.

“Penalties against good football teams will hurt you. We are talking third and fourth downs which can hurt you and keep their drives alive.

Keaton said aside from the penalties, he liked what he saw from his team but said they have to maintain discipline.

In the first half Keaton said he saw “first game jitters” from some of his players but they settled down in the second and just played.

Keaton praised Johnson for a solid first game performance and expects him to continue to improve as the season continues.

“He has done an exceptional job and has been doing that in the off season. He ran the ball and his has good vision and great power,” Keaton said.

<p>The Stillman Tigers shut out Concordia-Selma 52-0 at home Saturday night to open the 2013 football season. The Tigers were efficent on offense, using a balanced running and passing game.</p><p>Sophomore Josh Straughan was 20 of 30 passing for 206 yards.</p><p>“We basically just wanted to build off last year and keep it going,” Straughan said.</p><p>Straughan started last season as a freshman, due to Torrance Moise sitting out because of NCAA transfer rules. Straughan said he wants to see the combinations they did on offense in future games and keep building chemistry within the team. Freshmen seem to rise to the occasion for the Tigers every year, as Rovonta Johnson played his first collegiate game and dominated.</p><p>Johnson rushed for 85 yards and had a 20-yard touchdown run to recorded the first score of the Tigers' season.</p><p>“At first I was nervous, but I knew what I was doing. Coach Teddy) Keaton really took me under and just put me where I fit in,” Johnson said.</p><p>Johnson said after he cleared the end zone, his teammates were shocked at what they witnessed.</p><p>“Everybody was asking how come I didn't tell them I could play like that? I did not want to tell them, because I did not want to sound cocky, so I thought it would be better to just show them,” Johnson said.</p><p>Johnson said in fall training camp they worked on foot work a lot, so all he had to master was the vision to see the holes and cut to make plays.</p><p>Johnson said he learned from his mentor, junior Jovontae Thurman, who rushed for 54 yards.</p><p>Thurman scored in the second quarter on a 42-yard run to give the Tigers a 23-0 lead at halftime.</p><p>Moise found the end zone twice, on a 6-yard run and on a 67-yard run.</p><p>Also for Stillman, Dondre Purnell caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Straughn.</p><p>Jalen Hooks added a 1-yard scoring run and Charles Corbitt scored on a 9-yard run.</p><p>“It is amazing how things work when your team has that chemistry and trust within each other on the offensive line,” Thurman said.</p><p>The Tigers overcame several penalties that could have been costly. They had 19 total.</p><p>“It was a good win, but it was sloppy,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said.</p><p>“Penalties against good football teams will hurt you. We are talking third and fourth downs which can hurt you and keep their drives alive.</p><p>Keaton said aside from the penalties, he liked what he saw from his team but said they have to maintain discipline.</p><p>In the first half Keaton said he saw “first game jitters” from some of his players but they settled down in the second and just played.</p><p>Keaton praised Johnson for a solid first game performance and expects him to continue to improve as the season continues.</p><p>“He has done an exceptional job and has been doing that in the off season. He ran the ball and his has good vision and great power,” Keaton said.</p><p>Stillman rolled up 538 yards of offense (332 rushing, 206 passing) while holding Concordia to just 105 yards of offense (43 rushing, 62 passing).</p><p>Cameron Stallings had two interceptions for Stillman.</p><p>Stillman plays at Clark Atlanta next Saturday.</p>